Mac or Windows?

[cinnamoroll]

Just feeling curious.

[B]

Well I have to use both, but my personal computer is a mac. I really like it, but I'm not hardcore anti-windows or anything.

Now what I'm curious to see is if anyone uses linux.

[sass in a glass]

I use Windows and I like it.

[snow2day4me]

It's like anything else really, you're conditioned at a young age to work with Windows. Back in the day, kids were conditioned to work with Apple II computers (we're talking WAY back when) and they had a hard time working with the clunky IBM PCs at the time. People naturally preferred the Mac with it's GUI interface and "mouse." (This was back when keyboards were the norm, and mice were rare luxuries.)

People today are brought up on Windows, so anything different from that makes it difficult to switch. Try this experiment to demonstrate that your usage of the operating system is more of a conditioning to learning where the buttons are, etc. Change your language settings to some foreign language (if your version of Windows allows for this) or work on a Windows machine that is in another language. If you've worked with Windows long enough, you will "know" where the start menu, the buttons, and the clickable areas are even without being able to read the words. Working on a Mac in your OWN language will prove to have a bigger learning curve. Why? Because you learn where the buttons are, you learn where to push and what buttons do what. The slight variations in the Mac cause problems to people who are not familiar with them.

It's very similar to someone who natively learns Chinese say, over English. A White person born and raised in China will speak Chinese without a detectable hint of accent and if not exposed to English (or any other White European language) will find English very difficult and cumbersome. Anyone who is "born" using Windows, which seems to be the majority today will have a hard time transitioning to the Mac in the same way. Some will say Windows is "better" just like our example guy will say Chinese is "better."

I use both and find that the Mac is very cool for certain things and rather cumbersome for others. The biggest drawback is the availability of software. There are some software packages ONLY available for Windows that I just cannot do without. The closest thing on a Mac lacks several functions and for me to transition on the learning curve is quite problematic. Secondly, all of the eye-candy on the Mac makes it a little sluggish compared to the Windows equivalent. It's annoying when you're trying to scroll through a huge web document and the page doesn't refresh as quickly as it does in Windows. It just feels sluggish. These are issues that permanently keep me from transitioning 100% to the Mac. I use and require both for work, however, so I constantly have to learn how to use a Mac more, where today, after 2 years, I actually own a Mac laptop and use it every day.

I've used and currently use Linux extensively. I've found that for what I do, Linux only does well as a server, either for web pages, email, and other business applications. As a replacement for a personal computer, it is snappier than a Mac, but again, the applications that are on Windows simply cannot be matched today. Other than that, it's quite usable for everyday applications if web browsing, email, and music listening are your things.

[EA Observer]

I think both Mac and Windows have their sahre of problems, the latter has more because it's just so much bigger and more used. It's really frustrating and ridiculous, though, when the Windows programs made by Microsoft for its Windows operating systems don't work well on the WIndows OS or some serious problems. It's an example of a monopoly at its worst - selling overpriced crappy products.

[Akuma]

I'm more of a Windows person, but it's because I grew up with more exposure to it than Macs.

I don't hate Macs (considering I'm a graphic design student and more design companies are using them) I'm just not use to its interface and memorizing different shortcut keys that I'm familar with already on Windows.

[maow]

Mac, for me at least, has been very stable, some crashes but nothing compared to when I had PC. Works very well with graphic based apps (Adobe etc).

Resell value is alot higher than you would get with a PC from what I have seen.

If you want to play computer games AND do work then the PC is for you.

Macs are not cheap but they are worth the $$. Think of it as an investment. I have had my G4 Mac (recently upgraded to OSX Tiger) for almost 4 years and I have had no internal troubles to worry about. All I have done is added more RAM (necessary for graphic apps).
All in all no complaints.

[yongfook]

I use both at work, but my personal computer is a mac and my actual workstation of choice at work is a mac. Made the switch about 3 years ago and have been very happy ever since.

I now own a 15" Powerbook and a 20" iMac.

I don't hate windows, I just get a lot more done on a mac.

[DivaDancerLara]

well this post is so fitting i was going to post something similar bcz I have just made the transition. After years of PC use it seems weird to switch to an imac G5 but hey looking forward to seeing how its going to work out. Wanna do some film editing and music editing and heard that a mac was just a good way to go. something like final cut pro works on a mac. I like the format seems really user friendly. I think will appeal to artsys- I think I wanted to learn both to be more comp savy... but I was worried about the switch...well I bought one I just have to get the nerve to open the box.

[D.A]

I use Windows and linux (ubuntu)

[moo]

i use windows.. its perfectly fine

[p****cat]

I have windows, but I want a MAC. At work, I have a giant Apple sticker (like over 4") over the Dell logo and when the tech person came to fix my computer he's like, "whaaaaa"? ? ?

[moo]

i hate techies that say how crap windows is and that linux it the bestest thing that has ever happened

[Ark]

I use macs for graphic design and a few other thigns while windows' main purpose is games. My 7800 GTX on my PC >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. 9200 on my Mac.

[2bob]

I use windows but once I get my job im hoping to save up for a mac laptop cuz dey b cool yo